Thank you for attending the Day of the Hispanic World at The Miller Outdoor Theatre last Friday October 27th, 2017.

The Folkloric Festival Committee presented at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, its 33rd Day of the Hispanic World event, this year Honoring Puerto Rico. Gary Nuñez and Plena Libre showcased the contemporary rhytms based on the traditional cultural roots of Puerto Rico. Attendants to the show enjoyed the time despite of the cold weather. Thank you very much for supporting the Day of the Hispanic World event!

Photo courtesy Al-Fin Photography 2017

Photo courtesy Al-Fin Photography 2017

Photo courtesy Al-Fin Photography 2017

Photo courtesy Al-Fin Photography 2017

The Managing Director of the Miller Outdoor Theatre, Mrs. Cissy Segall Davis, received the Day of the Hispanic World Award​. Miller Outdoor Theatre is entering in its 95th Anniversary.

Photos courtesy Al-Fin Photography 2017

About Gary & Nuñez & Plena Libre

Captivating and moving audiences over the course of a 23-year, 15-album career, this fine-tuned Puerto Rican-based ensemble of virtuoso musicians has only gotten better with age, as evidenced by their four recent Grammy nominations and world-wide touring schedule.Plena Libre infuses their contemporary Caribbean compositions with a deep sense of the unique indigenous musical traditions, known as “plena” and “bomba”, which developed on the island over a century ago. Unlike salsa bands, who usually only have two singers, Plena Libre features three vocalists singing in lush three and four part harmonies; a musical representation of a traditional community gathering. Further giving their live performances a memorable standout quality, occasionally, the entire band will vocalize the percussion parts of the plena, creating an a cappella polyphonic polyrhythm. These artistic choices drive home the core of the tradition in an aesthetic that appeals to broad audiences and aficionados alike. With an aggressive, tight, yet sensitive style, which balances the traditional with the contemporary, the global and the local, Plena Libre creates a brand of music and live performance that is both profoundly Puerto Rican and universally appealing. Plena Libre creates a brand of music and live performance that is both profoundly Puerto Rican and universally appealing. Filtering the sounds of various Afro-Caribbean forms like merengue and cumbia, and Afro-Cuban like mambo and yes, and salsa, this versatile collection of expert performers create a celebratory spectacle and engaging sonic ecstasy.

Comments from the press

"The biggest band to play plena... Plena Libre knows the tradition but aren't afraid to draw upon stuff from outside the genre to keep it fresh" -The Village Voice “Plena Libre is one of the most outstanding shows we’ve ever had... superlative and excellent in every way!” Michael Savage, Napa Valley Opera House“The crowd went wild.” —Sun Sentinel (Florida).“Plena Libre has given a new era to this wonderful rhythm plena” — Daily News (NYC)“Where would the contemporary bomba and plena be without Gary Nuñez of Plena Libre” — The New York Post“Plena Libre stole the show.” — Latin Beat Magazine“The band… conquered the stage with their unique, yet sophisticated sound, a fascinating blend of folkloric tunes with contemporary beats such as salsa, samba and reggae. To watch a Plena Libre’s performance is to witness a realm where tradition truly meets modernity.”— NY Mosaico“Plena Libre made a strong impression because of their musicality, togetherness, growth and dynamism on stage.” — El Nuevo Día (Puerto Rico)“Tropical music will never be the same after the emerging of the vigorous group, Plena Libre.” — The San Juan Star “Tres chic” — Liberation (France)